Her customers had been buying salt, shovels and batteries most of the week, most of them preparing to be snowed in the entire weekend.

"We even have generators on sale right now," Gulling said.

Those are just a few of the important items everyone should have on hand ahead of the storm, said Rick Evans, interim director of the Richland County Emergency Management Association.

"You should always have your disaster kits ready," Evans warned.

He said people should be prepared to live a few days without electricity. Someone in the region will lose power this weekend, and there's no way to know who that will be.

"Chances are a lot of limbs will be coming down," Evans said. "You have to prepare."

Never run a generator inside a home or garage, keeping them always in a well-ventilated area. Evans recommends everyone keep working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors throughout their home at all times.

He recommended that outdoor pets should be brought into warm areas, especially at night.

Temperatures were expected to slowly fall from 34 degrees Friday afternoon to 0 degrees Monday morning, according to Brian Mitchell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service out of Cleveland.

A winter storm warning is in effect across the region from 12:01 a.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday, Mitchell said. Snow falls will range from about 6 to 9 inches.

"The problem is going to be the gusty winds, which could be 35 to 40 miles an hour," Mitchell said.

Those winds will likely lead to heavy drifting, which could keep snow plows from clearing roads known to drift. Motorists are asked to keep travel to a minimum.

"The heaviest snow will be in the afternoon into the late evening hours Saturday," Mitchell said.

Temperatures will stay just below freezing throughout the day Saturday, then will begin to fall that night. Mitchell said temperatures will be in the high teens by Saturday evening.

"Mid-teens Saturday night and then it will stay in the mid-teens Sunday," Mitchell said.

After a low around 0 degrees on Monday morning. Mitchell said it could rise above freezing again Tuesday morning. A weaker storm will drop temperatures again sometime Wednesday.

With all the snow, Evans said people should be careful not to exert themselves too much.

"Don’t be shoveling heavy wet snow unless you have to," Evans said. "If you do, take frequent breaks and dress warmly because it’s going to be cold."

Despite most people's concern for the upcoming snow, not everyone is getting excited.

"I live in town, so I'm not panicking," Gulling said. "I'm ready for a good snow."

ztuggle@gannett.com

419-564-3508

Twitter: @zachtuggle

Warming centers

Public warming centers are heated public facilities where any resident can go to during periods of extreme cold temperatures to stay warm and safe.

Two facilities have been designated as area warming centers for people who need temporary relief from the cold

People in need of emergency shelter assistance outside of these hours should call the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, 419-562-7906; or Bucyrus City Police Department; 419-562-1006.

BORN is collecting blankets, hats, gloves, non-perishable food items, water, towels, wash clothes and hygiene products to distribute as needed. Donations may be taken to 222 E. Rensselaer St. For details, call 419-557-4550. Within the past week, BORN has housed more than 15 families.